Lamentations 4:20 kjv
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
Lamentations 4:20 nkjv
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, Was caught in their pits, Of whom we said, "Under his shadow We shall live among the nations."
Lamentations 4:20 niv
The LORD's anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations.
Lamentations 4:20 esv
The breath of our nostrils, the LORD's anointed, was captured in their pits, of whom we said, "Under his shadow we shall live among the nations."
Lamentations 4:20 nlt
Our king ? the LORD's anointed, the very life of our nation ?
was caught in their snares.
We had thought that his shadow
would protect us against any nation on earth!
Lamentations 4 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 4:20 | The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, | Divine appointment & vulnerability |
| Lam 4:20 | was taken in their pits, | Catastrophe & capture |
| Lam 4:20 | of whom we said, | Personal connection & trust |
| Lam 4:20 | Beneath his shadow we shall live among the nations. | Security & national hope |
| Isa 40:10 | Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, | God's power & coming |
| Isa 40:10 | and his arm rules. | Divine authority |
| Isa 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd; | Christ as shepherd |
| Isa 40:11 | he will gather the lambs in his arm; | Care for the vulnerable |
| Jer 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, | Future hope & Messianic age |
| Jer 23:5 | when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, | Davidic covenant fulfillment |
| Jer 23:5 | and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, | Righteous & wise reign |
| Jer 23:5 | and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. | Justice & righteousness |
| Jer 22:4 | For if you will indeed obey my commandments delivered to Moses on mount Sinai, | Obedience & law |
| Jer 22:4 | then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings who sit on the throne of David, | Davidic kingship |
| Jer 22:4 | riding in chariots and on horses, each with his nobles, and the people. | Royal prosperity |
| Jer 22:4 | But if you will not obey the LORD your God, | Disobedience & consequences |
| Jer 22:5 | but if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God, | Disobedience's impact |
| Jer 22:5 | but will not carefully observe all these commandments and these statutes that I command you today, | Neglecting statutes |
| Jer 22:5 | then it shall come about that if you do not obey the LORD your God, | Unheeded warnings |
| Jer 22:5 | then I will send all its demons and my anger, and will drive them out of this land. | Divine judgment |
| Lam 4:21 | “Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, | Judgment on enemies |
| Lam 4:21 | you who dwell in the land of Uz; | Edom's location |
| Lam 4:21 | the cup shall also pass over to you; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare. | God's judgment |
| Zec 11:17 | “Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! | Rejection of leadership |
| Zec 11:17 | A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; | Divine judgment on shepherd |
| Zec 11:17 | his arm shall be utterly withered, and his right eye utterly blinded.” | Complete destruction |
| Ps 89:3 | “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; | Divine covenant |
| Ps 89:3 | I have sworn to my servant David: | Oath to David |
| Ps 89:4 | ‘To forever establish your offspring, and to make your throne firm throughout all generations.’ Selah.” | Perpetual dynasty |
| Eze 19:10 | “Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard, | Maternal figure |
| Eze 19:10 | planted by the waters; | Location of blessing |
| Eze 19:10 | she was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water. | Fertility and strength |
| Eze 19:11 | She brought forth strong shoots, suitable for rulers’ scepters; | Ruler's authority |
| Eze 19:11 | and her height surpassed the tallest trees. She was distinguished among the tall trees. | Prominence and authority |
| Eze 19:12 | She was pulled up in fury, cast down to the ground; | Violent overthrow |
| Eze 19:12 | the east wind dried up her fruit, her strong branches were broken and withered. | Devastation and decay |
| Jer 22:24 | As I live, declares the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, | Symbolic importance |
| Jer 22:24 | yet I would tear you off | Removal and rejection |
| Jer 22:24 | and, behold, if you were a signet on my right hand, yet I would tear you off | Divine severance |
| Lam 4:19 | “Your pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; | Overwhelming enemies |
| Lam 4:19 | they chased you on the roads with might. | Ruthless pursuit |
| Lam 4:20 | The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, ‘Beneath his shadow we shall live among the nations.’ | Lament over captured king |
Lamentations 4 verses
Lamentations 4 20 Meaning
The verse describes the sudden and catastrophic demise of the Anointed One, likened to an unbreakable ruler over Israel, signifying the end of Davidic rule and a profound spiritual loss.
Lamentations 4 20 Context
Chapter 4 of Lamentations vividly depicts the devastation and suffering in Jerusalem following its destruction by the Babylonians. The chapter moves from an external description of the ruined city and the suffering of its inhabitants to an internal reflection on the causes and the profound grief over lost leadership and hope. Verse 20 specifically focuses on the capture and humiliation of the king, who was considered God's anointed representative, and the shattered expectations of security and national identity that his rule provided. This loss is presented as a spiritual and national calamity, as it represents the breaking of the Davidic covenant in practice, leading to exile and vulnerability among foreign nations.
Lamentations 4 20 Word Analysis
breath (neshamah - נְשָׁמָה): Refers to breath, spirit, or life force. It signifies vital energy and existence, highlighting the king's essential role.
our nostrils (appeynu - אַפֵּינוּ): Literally "our noses." It's a metonymy for breathing, indicating that he was the very air or life breath of the nation.
the anointed (mashiach - מָשִׁיחַ): Hebrew for Messiah. This term identifies the king as specially consecrated and appointed by God, endowed with divine authority.
of the LORD (YHWH - יְהוָה): The personal covenant name of God. Emphasizes the divine source of the king's legitimacy and the covenantal relationship.
was taken (la·qod — לָקֹד): The Qal infinitive construct of "laqach" (לקח), meaning to take, seize, capture, or acquire. In this context, it signifies the violent capture of the king.
in their pits (bemosherotam - בְּמוֹשְׁרוֹתָם): Likely refers to traps, snares, or pits set for capturing animals or enemies. It conveys the idea of being trapped and subdued disgracefully.
of whom (asher - אֲשֶׁר): Relative pronoun, introducing the dependent clause.
we said (amar·nu — אָמַרְנוּ): The Qal perfect 1st person common plural of "amar" (אָמַר), meaning to say, speak, or tell. Refers to the people's spoken or thought conviction.
beneath his shadow (batzel·lo - בְּצִלּוֹ): Symbolizes protection, security, and benevolent rule. The king's presence provided a sense of safety and comfort.
we shall live (nechel’ — נֶחְל): Hiphil perfect 3rd person common plural of "chalal" (חָלַל), meaning to live, continue to live, survive. It speaks of continued existence and well-being.
among the nations (baggoyim — בַּגּוֹיִם): Indicates living among gentile peoples. This was generally associated with exile and a loss of national identity, which the king was supposed to prevent or manage.
Anointed One as the nation's life: The "breath of our nostrils" connects the king directly to the life and well-being of the people.
Divine appointment and violent end: The phrase "anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits" starkly contrasts the king's divine consecration with his ignominious capture, highlighting the depth of their downfall.
Shattered security: The hope of living "beneath his shadow" among nations reveals the crushing disappointment and vulnerability experienced after his capture.
Broken Davidic promise: The capture of the king, the symbol of the Davidic dynasty, underscores the perceived abandonment of God's covenant promise for perpetual Davidic rule.
Lamentations 4 20 Bonus Section
The sentiment expressed here—linking the king's well-being to the nation's life—resonates with similar language used for leaders in ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, within the biblical context, this is specifically tied to the unique covenant God made with David. The ultimate fulfillment of the promise of a Davidic ruler who would reign righteously and provide lasting security is seen in Jesus Christ. His betrayal, suffering, and death are, in a profound spiritual sense, a carrying away into the "pits" of human sin and the power of death. Yet, his resurrection signifies the true and eternal establishment of His reign, offering security to all who live by faith in Him. The grief expressed by Judah for their captured king prefigures the grief of the disciples, and indeed of humanity, over the world's rejection of its true King, contrasted with the ultimate hope found in His enduring dominion.
Lamentations 4 20 Commentary
This verse serves as a poignant lament over the fall of a Davidic king, portrayed as the very life source and protector of his people. His capture is depicted not just as a military defeat but as a catastrophic spiritual loss. The phrase "anointed of the LORD" signifies his sacred status, and his taking in "their pits" speaks to his brutal humiliation. The people's profound disappointment is evident in their previously held conviction of finding safety under his protection, even while living among other nations. This captures the essence of shattered national hope and the despair that follows the collapse of divinely appointed leadership. It speaks to the deep vulnerability experienced when the appointed guardian is overcome, leaving the nation exposed and defenseless.